BORN FREE REACTS TO DISCOVERY OF DEAD EXOTIC SNAKES

Dr Chris Draper, Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity at Born Free, said: “It seems likely that these snakes had been kept as exotic ‘pets’. Sadly, people are all too often unaware of the specialised needs of wild or exotic animals, and those kept as pets may quickly become unwanted, treated poorly or abandoned. These animals may have complex social, physical and behavioural needs which are impossible to meet in a domestic environment, and in many cases the safety risk they pose to their owners and the wider public should not be underestimated.”

Boa constrictors grow to be extremely large, posing a threat to owner safety. In 2017, a man in Hampshire was killed by a large constrictor snake, his pet African rock python.

Born Free is calling on the UK government to review the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, calling for more restrictions on the private ownership of dangerous wild animals, including large constrictor snakes.

You can support our campaign by sending a letter to the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, the Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), voicing your concerns and calling for a ban:
Rt Hon Michael Gove
DEFRA
Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London, SW1P 4DF
Email: correspondence.section@defra.gsi.gov.uk

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